John Morganelli calls for laws to curb gun violence

Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli on Thursday called for bans on assault weapons and bump stocks, two of the devices used in recent mass shootings.

But he also pushed for a state law that would require gun owners to lock up their firearms if they live with minors, someone who is mentally ill or someone convicted of a violent crime.

Morganelli, who is also running for Congress, said he would seek the support of several statewide law enforcement groups on those issues to lead an effort on reducing gun violence. He also answered questions about his views on a litany of other gun issues at a news conference at his office at the Northampton County Courthouse.

“We can take guns out of the hands of criminals, children and the mentally ill without disarming law-abiding citizens,” Morganelli said. “To do so, we have to be both smart and tough. It is no longer acceptable to fall back on the old cliche that we do not have to do anything but enforce existing gun laws.”

Morganelli, a Democrat, is competing in a crowded race to succeed retiring Congressman Charlie Dent in a district that would include Lehigh and Northampton counties plus parts of Monroe.

Since last week’s fatal shootings at a Florida high school, many of Morganelli’s primary opponents have taken to social media to engage in a public conversation about gun control. But as the county’s top cop, Morganelli has a public pulpit to lead discussion from an official capacity.

“As a district attorney, he is very familiar and comfortable with gun-related issues,” said Chris Borick, a political scientist at Muhlenberg College. “These are all very [politically] safe proposals that he’s advocating for. He’s running in a Democratic primary where voters want lots of action on gun control issues.”

At the news conference, Morganelli cast himself as taking a “balanced approach” to curbing gun violence. He criticized “liberals” who want to ban all guns and who portray gun owners as “rednecks” who are reckless with weapons. But he also took aim at the “entrenched gun lobby” as seeming to believe any gun regulation threatens their constitutional rights.

“As district attorney for the last 26 years, I have supported the right to carry and the right to use deadly force if necessary to protect one’s life or the life of another. I have opposed efforts to require law-abiding citizens to register their guns with the government,” Morganelli said. “But another fact that cannot be ignored is that criminals, mentally disturbed individuals and children too often come into the possession of firearms with tragic and devastating consequences.”

Morganelli called for a Parents Responsible Gun Ownership Act in the 1990s. Statistics show 98 percent of all the firearms young people bring to school were obtained at home, he said.

“The right to own and possess firearms brings with it responsibilities to see to it that these firearms do not end up in the wrong hands,” Morganelli said.

Morganelli said that under his proposal, people who don’t secure their firearms from easy access would only be charged if one of those household members described in the act commits a crime with the gun.

Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin could not be reached for comment Thursday afternoon.

In the wake of last week’s mass shootings, the National Rifle Association has advocated that members tell their legislators to focus on fixing the mental health system and improving school security rather than chipping away at the rights of legal gun owners.

Morganelli said he would seek a resolution from the Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association, the Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police and the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association to support comprehensive legislation to reduce gun death in the state.

Greg Rowe, director of legislation and policy for the District Attorneys Association, said the association is always reviewing proposals that would help keep guns out of the hands of those who are mentally ill, domestic abusers and of those who have committed violent crimes. He drew attention to gun violence associated with drugs. He also said police can’t be in a position where they are outgunned or lack the resources to investigate those crimes.

“Given the events in Florida, the status quo is not acceptable,” he said.

Other measures Morganelli advocated for include requiring background checks for all sales of long guns, such as rifles; expanding background checks for firearms bought at a gun show or on the internet; assuring all mental health records are entered into a national database for background checks; prohibiting individuals on the terror watch list from buying guns; and requiring stolen guns be reported.

Arming teachers at schools, he said, is not a good idea. But he is in favor of allowing family members or police to petition a judge to remove guns temporarily from the residence of someone who appears to be a danger.

Morganelli said such an ambitious legislative agenda would take time and also will focus his efforts locally as county prosecutor. He is requesting all school districts in Northampton County work with law enforcement to do security reviews that examine building access issues and the ability to respond to emergencies.